I’ve had the calendar reminder for this since the last year and still almost missed it! Entries opened since 1 May, but luckily the competition remains open until 31 August 2018. What is it, you ask? It’s an opportunity to get your book professionally published, get a $20,000 pounds prize, and travel to London to be recognized in a special ceremony. Do I have your attention?

The book must be in English, previously unpublished. It goes without saying that it has to be your original work, although you could have a co-author.

It must be published during the above entry period using Kindle Direct in electronic and paperback formats (you can also use CreateSpace). It HAS TO BE BOTH formats.

The book must be enrolled in KDP Select during the entry period.

You MUST use a special keyword when publishing (in metadata, the keywords you choose when setting up your book) – “storytellerUK2018” (without the quotes).

You are not eligible if you live in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria or Region of Crimea. Also, the Competition and these Official Rules are void in Mexico, Brazil, Tasmania, Quebec and where prohibited by law, and are subject to applicable laws. Whatever that means.

You can submit multiple books.

Looks like porn or sexually explicit content would disqualify an entry.

Your book could be as short as 25 pages.

By entering, you do agree to enter into an exclusive publishing agreement. Do read the whole set of rules for more details.

In addition to the $20,000, there are other prizes, including an Oasis for each finalist

It also looks like you may get additional exposure because the above entry page lists all the entries submitted and omg, I may actually finish that draft I got lying around. Or even write a new one, although the previous winners look to be very well made. Don’t know if that was before or after winning, though. All entries will be considered, even if you submit on the last day.

My guess is that the gimmick is in author’s obligation to give Amazon the exclusive, while negotiating “in good faith.” So if you are offered only, say, 5K for the exclusive, you better take it—or face trouble. And, of course, no other publisher will want to touch the author who is under contract to sell to Amazon at 10% over whatever the competing publisher offers.

I don’t know where you are in your publishing journey, but after three years, two novels and 70+ rejections, I would kill for any contract with Amazon, not so much for immediate gain as it would be for getting my name “out there”. In any case, there’s no such thing as a one-off lump sum, you get an advance plus royalties and if your book is good, continue earning on and on. Of course, the decision is up to you and only you.